AZ Association of Midwives
​Arizona Student Midwives is an organization committed to helping student midwives achieve their goals and build a community. We work within our community to support student midwives in their training and are here to help those who are exploring or actively pursuing midwifery by providing information, support and guidance. We hold monthly meetings where we offer discussions of different topics and an open forum to ask questions. These meetings are for current students, people who are interested in becoming a midwife and midwives and care providers interested in helping and supporting students on their journey to midwifery. We wish to create confidence and support for our future midwives, and to strengthen the birth community and future of midwives in Arizona.
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​Educational Paths for AZ Midwifery Students
Schooling options for midwifery students in Arizona vary widely, as there is no single method endorsed by the state. The list to the right contains some available options and is a great list to get you started. The best route is to start studying all you can whether enrolled in a school or not before you seek out a midwife to apprentice with. You can also attend classes and meetings to learn. There are currently not any formal education programs within this state.

Lending Library
Students may borrow books and supplies from the lending library by contacting arizonastudentmidwives@gmail.com. Lending items include texts, educational models, training materials, movies and more. To see a complete list of lending library items, click HERE.

​​Links for Students
​General
AZ DHS Department of Special Licensing​
NARM - CPM Credential
MEAC – Midwifery Education Accreditation Council​
​Accredited Programs
National Midwifery Institute (NMI, Heart and Hands)​
Midwives College of Utah​
National College of Midwifery (NCM)​
Bastyr University
​Non-Accredited Programs
Aviva Institute​
Ancient Art of Midwifery Institute (AAMI)​
Midwife-To-Be Program
​Licensure Requirements
You must first become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). Please take note that laws, regulations and rules do change, so verify with the Arizona Department of Health what is required for licensure. You can obtain this information at the Arizona Department of Health Services and at the NARM website. Please review State forms and the NARM PEP packet and CIB thoroughly as there is more detailed information contained therein than in this chart.
Becoming a Certified Professional Midwife
Before Beginning
For the CPM Certification you must order the NARM CPM Certification Application Packet Portfolio Evaltuation Process (PEP) Application Packet and Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) first. Currently you can download it online, but when you apply for your certificate, you will have to pay a $25 administration fee for printing it. NARM requires you to use their forms only.

Before Submitting your Application
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You must be currently certified by the American Heart Association in adult basic CPR. You must present a copy of both sides of your certification card.
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You must be certified by the American Heart Association in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). You must present a copy of both sides of your certification card.
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Provide three letters of reference (personal, professional peer, and professional client)
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​Provide a preceptor verification form.
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While functioning as the primary midwife under the supervision of your preceptor you must do the following:
 *75 Prenatal exams including 20 Initial Exams
 *Attendance as an active participant at 20 births.
 *20 Births
At least 10 of the 20 must be in home or other out-of-hospital settings.
At least 3 of the 20 births must be for women who you have provided
primary care during at least 4 prenatal visits, birth, newborn exam,
and 1 postpartum exam.
At least 10 of the 20 births must have occurred within three years of
application submission.
*20 Newborn examinations
 *40 Postpartum examinations

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Provide verification from the preceptor(s) that you have achieved proficiency on each area listed on the Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential for Competent Practice Verification Form including:
​ *Midwifery counseling, education and communication.
 *General healthcare skills
*Maternal health assessment
 *Labor, birth and immediate postpartum
 *Postpartum
 *Well-woman care
 *Well-baby care

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Written verification by you or your preceptor (see specific category requirements below) that you have developed and utilize:
 *Practice Guidelines
*An informed consent document
*Forms and handouts relating to midwifery practice
*An emergency care plan

To Apply For Your License:
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Provide verification of experience and skills through NARM’s PEP Program. Upon successfully completing NARM’s PEP Program you will be sent a Letter of Completion that can be submitted as edcuational equivalency in the CPM process.
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Submit a copy of:
*Legal photo identification – Passport or Driver’s License
*Both sides of your current CPR Certification
*A head and shoulder’s photo of yourself taken within the last 6 months
with your signature on the back

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​Submit the CPM Application form (400) and your Letter of Completion of NARM’s PEP Program.
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Include Application fee of $700 in Certified Check or Money Order in U.S. Funds made out to NARM. If you printed the application packet you must include an additional $25 administration fee as well. Verify fees before sending as they do periodically change.
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If you are already a licensed midwife in Arizona, you can apply for your CPM Certificate without having to retake the NARM exam. There are documents you must complete that are specific to already licensed midwives in Arizona. When ordering your application packet, make sure you ask for the additional documents.

After you Apply For Your License:
Upon approval of your application materials, you will be scheduled for the NARM Written Examination. After you pass the NARM Written Examination you will receive your Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) Certificate.
Arizona Licensure
Once the CPM requirements have been fulfilled and you have received your certificate, you will need to contact Arizona Department of Health Services to apply to take the jurisprudence test for Arizona rules.